CONCRETE: Finish, Cure & Seal

Finish Aids

Concrete is constantly subjected to various drying conditions including: high concrete and/or ambient temperatures, low humidity, high winds, direct sunlight or work in heated interiors during cold weather, etc. Many of the high performance concrete mixes used on projects today are designed with high fly ash contents or low water/cement ratios and are prone to drying out prematurely.

Many of our interior slab mixes have 1-1/2â€ coarse aggregate added to help reduce the potential for drying shrinkage. These mixes also tend to be difficult to finish without some help. Evaporation retardants are commonly used to help you place these mixes.

AVR Finish Aid

AVR Finish Aid is an evaporation retardant used during the placing of fresh plastic concrete. AVR Finish Aid should be used when placing and finishing operations take place in direct sunlight, high temperatures, low humidity and high winds. Concrete mixes with Granite rock should be placed with AVR Finish Aid as part of the placing procedures. Dilute and mix 1 part Finish Aid to 9 parts water.

Curing Compounds

Curing can be defined as a procedure for insuring the hydration of the Portland cement in newly-placed concrete. In all but the least critical applications, care needs to be taken to properly cure concrete, and achieve best strength and hardness. This happens after the concrete has been placed.

Cement requires a moist, controlled environment to cure and hydrate fully. It does not set by drying out, but by the cementitious material chemically reacting with the water - hydrating. Properly curing concrete leads to increased strength and lower permeability.

Improper curing can cause scaling, reduced strength, poor abrasion resistance and cracking. Once the concrete has hardened on the surface a curing agent is applied.

In order to ensure our customers the best quality, AVR, Inc. & Affiliates recommends and sells a private label brand of sealers. We recommend the following:

AVR Dissipating Cure

AVR Dissipating Curing Compound is a solvent based curing compound that after 28 days becomes brittle and will wear off the surface. It should be applied one hour after finishing or as soon as you can apply without marring the surface. Application rate is 200-300 square feet per gallon.

Curing compounds are meant for curing the concrete only. No other sealer or adhesive for a floor covering can be put down unless the curing compound is stripped off.

Curing & Sealing compounds can accept paints and adhesives for vinyl tile and carpets (it is recommended to put a sample down to check for compatibility), and they can be recoated for long term sealing of the concrete.

Despite the method used to initially cure the concrete, concrete exposed to the environment will require a re-coat of sealer after the concrete is 28 days old. This allows the resin to penetrate the pores and capillaries after the moisture and water has left. This crucial and final step will help to ensure the beauty and durability of your concrete.

Apple Cure and Apple Cure W.B.

Apple Cure is a solvent base curing and sealing compound used for curing freshly placed concrete. It can also be applied after 28 days as a sealer. It should be applied as soon as you can without marring the surface. Application rate is 300-400 Square feet per gallon.

Apple Cure W.B. is a water-based curing and sealing compound used to cure freshly placed concrete. It also can be applied after 28 days as a sealer. It should be applied as soon as you can without marring the surface. Application rate is 300-400 square feet per gallon.

Concrete Sealers

Curing compounds are meant for curing the concrete only. Sealing the concrete is really crucial in order to protect the concrete and ensure its durability.

There are two main types of concrete sealers, surface sealers and penetrating sealers. A surface sealer is just that, it is applied to the surface and does not penetrate. The surface sealer will wear away rapidly from use. Every time a car pulls in or someone bounces a ball on it, a little bit of the sealer is removed. Some surface sealers can make the driveway slick and dangerous when it rains because the rough texture is covered up.

A penetrating sealer penetrates below the concrete surface. Siloxane sealers form a barrier against water and de-icing salt attack. Because they are below the surface, they are protected from wear on the surface of the concrete.

AVR Siloxane

AVR Siloxane is an excellent penetrating sealer that can be applied after the concrete has cured 28 days. Application rate is 100-200 square feet per gallon. Concrete should be cured with AVR Dissipating Cure.

Apple Glaze

Apple Glaze is a high solids sealer that when applied to exposed aggregate concrete or color-conditioned concrete will enhance the color and give the surface a glossy wet look. Application rate is 300-400 square feet per gallon.